Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Diabetes and Self-Management among Patients Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus - A Preliminary Surveillance Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus has reached an epidemic level and threatens the economy and healthcare infrastructure globally. Raising knowledge and awareness among the general population is inevitable to implement successful management strategies and to develop good attitudes and practices among patients with diabetes. Methods: The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Urban Bengaluru for 1 month and recruited patients who had diabetes. Medication adherence was assessed using Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). The knowledge regarding diabetes and self-management was assessed with a diabetes knowledge test (DKT), which was modified to the Indian context. Results: Sixty-six patients were recruited to the study with a mean age of 63.83 ± 13.81 years and body mass index of 28.08 ± 6.33 kg/m2. The duration of diabetes among the participants was 9.55 ± 9.46 years. Most of the study population was found to be adherent to medications according to MMAS-8, with only 26% reporting difficulty remembering or skipping pills often. More than 50% of the population could answer most of the items in DKT correctly. Conclusion: The study identified good knowledge regarding diabetes and self-management, and adherence to medications among the majority of the participants, although a lack of awareness exists among a few. The existing literature also suggests a gap in understanding and knowledge about diabetes among the Indian population. Measures must be implemented from the community to a national level to ensure adherence to medications and improve the attitude and practice among these patient populations.